95 Sustainability Solar Power... Lightening the work load When it comes to sunlight, Australia has lots of it! In fact, we receive more solar radiation over a year than most other countries. But, unlike most other countries, we don’t necessarily take full advantage of it by putting it to work to create pollution-free electricity. What’s more, this electricity is available usually at point of use – for instance, for water pumping, stock fencing, remote lighting and for homes off the electricity grid. No transmission losses, no carbon emissions. Solar power – that is, using a photovoltaic (PV) system to capture sunlight and generate electricity – has many applications and has been used in Australia for over 20 years to power remote telecommunications in particular. Until a few years ago, Australia had the largest PV system in the world, powering the telecommunications system between Adelaide and Darwin. PV systems have numerous applications in rural areas. Apart from those mentioned, they can provide power for battery charging, security systems, irrigation, pest deterrence systems, frost warning systems; really, the applications are only limited by the availability of sunlight, the power required, and the costs. PV systems suffer in the market place due to their upfront costs compared to other energy generators, such as diesel generators. However, they have no running costs, little maintenance requirements and usually last for over 20 years. Indeed, there are PV panels still in operation from the 1980s. These days, most PV panels have performance guarantees from the manufacturers, such as a guarantee that after 20 years they will still be producing at no less that 80% of their original capacity, day in, day out. What other piece of equipment is so reliable? The balance of system components also come with significant product warranties. PV panels can be used singularly (for instance, to trickle charge an electric fence system), or interconnected to increase current and/or voltage and power output as required. A small single panel produces a few watts; a large array produces many kW to MW of DC electricity. The power can be used directly to power the system (e.g. for pumping) or to stored in batteries to supply continuous power. When an inverter and regulator are added to the system, AC electricity is produced, suitable to power typical appliances and lighting within the home. Inverters are different for on and off-grid systems, but prices are similar for comparable power inputs and outputs. Grid-connected systems put electricity into the power grid. In Victoria all electricity retailers except AGL offer net metering prices. That is, a price for all PV electricity exported to the grid AFTER the requirement of the house has been taken out. AGL offers GROSS metering – i.e. they pay you for 100% of electricity produced and exported to the grid. Net and gross metering require slightly different wiring configurations, an issue which your BCSE Accredited installer will be aware of (see www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/BCSE) Turning green? Don’t think ribbit, think Solco Solar Power! SOLCO, through its subsidiary Choice Electric, supplies solar panels from some of the world’s largest manufacturers. We stock a complete range of Australian-certified solar products, including mounting systems and framing, power inverters and batteries. Our GridPower solar electric systems kits are available in a range of sizes, and are suitable for installation on the roofs of most buildings. SOLCO has Australia’s widest range of solar pumps, including submersible bore pumps and above-ground transfer pumps. Other applications for farmers include shed and security lighting, battery charging and back-up power systems. We can also help you with government solar rebates. Brisbane 1800 074 007 • Perth 1800 454 161 • Murwillumbah (02) 6672 4033 • Melbourne (03) 9439 5074 solco sunmill grid power Visit our website to find out what solar can do for you! www.solco.com.au VFF01